Monthly Archives: December 2014

Audi A3 e-tron (Image: Audi)

Increased Production of the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

A3 Sportback e-tron, Audi, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment
  • First plug-in hybrid model drives off the assembly line in Ingolstadt
  • Assembly processes integrated into the A3 line
  • Maximum safety for employees, top quality for customers

Ingolstadt, November 21, 2014 –Approximately 50 cars every day, with the same timing and on the same assembly line as the other models: Audi is now ramping up production of the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron*. The premium manufacturer is producing its first plug-in hybrid model at the brand’s main plant in Ingolstadt.

Dr. Hubert Waltl, Board of Management Member for Production at AUDI AG. said:

“We started series production of the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron in the summer. Most of the assembly work is integrated into the A3 line; no separate manufacturing is necessary. That demonstrates the flexibility and efficiency of our production planners and employees.”

With the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, Audi is launching the mobility of the future. The compact five-door combines a 1.4 TFSI combustion engine with a 75 kW electric motor, resulting in a total system output of 150 kW (204 horsepower). Despite the sporty driving performance, fuel consumption in the NEDC is just 1.5 liters per 100 kilometers (35 grams of CO2 per kilometer). The A3 Sportback e-tron can travel up to 50 kilometers in purely electric mode and up to 890 kilometers more with the gasoline engine.

“We first of all ramped up production of the A3 Sportback e-tron to about 30 cars a day in September,”

explained Board of Management member for Production Waltl.

“Our peak is approximately 50 units each day now. In any case, we are keeping additional capacity available.”

Peter Kössler, head of the Ingolstadt plant, stated:

“Working with high-voltage systems in series production was a new challenge for us, but we mastered it well. At all stages of assembly, we achieve maximum levels of safety for our employees and quality for our customers.”

Safety is given top priority during the entire assembly process. All the employees who come into contact with the A3 Sportback e-tron have received technical safety instructions for the new technology; some employee who are directly involved are qualified as specialist electricians for automotive technology.

*Fuel consumption of the models named above:

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 1.7 – 1.5;
Combined electricity consumption in kWh/100 km: 12.4 – 11.4;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 39 – 35

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron 16″:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 1.5;
Combined electricity consumption in kWh/100 km: 11.4;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 35

Fast charging at one of the dozen rapid chargers at Stanmore (Image: T. Larkum)

People’s Climate March – Part 3

Blog, Leaf, Nissan, Renault, ZOE

[Part 1]

[Part 2]

Once the Climate March was over I expected the return journey to be straightforward, but it wasn’t to be. I knew that there was extensive engineering work underway on the London Underground but it did not impact directly on the route I intended to use back from Westminster to Kentish Town.

However, early in the journey it became clear there was another problem. Announcements over the tannoy system indicated that a significant part of the northern section of the tube was experiencing a temporary closure. The reason given was that there was a person on the line, and the implication seemed to be that there had been a suicide attempt.

Nissan Leaf on charge in Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)
Nissan Leaf on charge in Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)

Anyway, after a number of changes of route and failed redirections I got back to Camden Town and decided to walk from there, even though it was further than I would have liked. At least, I felt, my progress was under my control.

On the way I spotted another electric car, this time a Nissan Leaf. It was plugged in and charging in the compound of a civil engineering firm off Highgate Road – an encouraging sign, I thought, a commercial company using an EV.

I got back to my car, unplugged and drove off without incident. I was actually still doing quite well for time so decided to take a detour. In planning the trip down I had considered parking at Stanmore Underground Station as I had read that it was equipped with a dozen fast chargers – an unprecedented concentration that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the UK, so far as I know.

Fast charging at one of the dozen rapid chargers at Stanmore (Image: T. Larkum)
Fast charging at one of the dozen rapid chargers at Stanmore (Image: T. Larkum)

Finding the chargers was tricky as they were in a car park beside the station with a virtually concealed entrance. However, plugging in and charging was easy – there were half a dozen bright green charge points, each with two connectors, and no other cars charging.

I didn’t really need the charge, of course, since I was fully charged when I left Highgate – I just wanted to assure myself I could make use of them next time I came down to London. In fact, on this day I had made the right choice as – due to engineering works – there was only a replacement bus service from Stanmore.

The rest of the trip home went fine. I went at a steady pace and was able to go all the way to Northampton without needing to stop. I had enjoyed the day – my first time as an ‘activist’ – and committed myself to get more involved in climate change activities in the future.

First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen eGolf

There’s officially a Volkswagen Golf for everyone. The standard Golf is a go-to choice in the compact hatchback market. Enthusiasts love the GTI, and diesel-drinking enthusiasts can’t wait for the GTD to get here (seriously… hurry your asses up on that one VW).

Now Volkswagen has a Golf for the ultra-green set. It’s the 2015 eGolf, and it’s the automaker’s first shot at a fully electric machine here in the United States.

What makes it special beyond its propulsion system? Nothing… and that’s why people will like it.

[Skip to 0:50 seconds to avoid advert]

What does the UK public think about climate change? (Image: Crown Copyright)

Poll — Majority Of British Want Global Action On Climate Change

Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment

A new Populus survey conducted in the UK has found that 73% of people want world leaders to agree on a global deal to tackle climate change, while 66% want action now.

What does the UK public think about climate change? (Image: Crown Copyright)
What does the UK public think about climate change? (Image: Crown Copyright)

The DECC’s Edward Davey and Amber Rudd said:

“The survey reveals an appetite for action on climate change by the UK public, with only 20% agreeing that it can wait a few years.”

Unsurprisingly, however, only 40% of respondents recognise the possible implications climate change will have on their own lifestyles.

The Populus poll, conducted in early November and covering 2000 people, sought answers on a number of climate change–related questions. The highlighted question asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statement, “World leaders must urgently agree a global deal to tackle climate change.” The net response of those agreeing came to 73%, combining 39% who agreed strongly and 35% who agreed slightly (which is better than a slight disagreement, I guess).

Ed Davey said:

“The science is clear. Climate change poses great risks to health, global food security and economic development – and unchecked will change every part of our lives. Without urgent action nowhere on earth will be left untouched.

“We are at a global turning point – never before have so many countries made clear their determination to act to tackle climate change. Those governments are backed by a groundswell of people who want to see action in their own countries and around the world.”

To tackle the issue in a different way, the DECC is taking to Twitter with other organisations such as the UN, Microsoft, and the Natural History Museum to answer a series of questions about the impact of climate change and what actions can be taken.

Amber Rudd said:

“In creating this global twitter relay we will help people to understand the possible impacts of climate change on day to day life as well demonstrate the level of government commitment for action.”

Source: Clean Technica

BMW i3: It zips off the mark, turns on a dime, provides good visibility and it's whisper quiet (Image: Gizmag)

Test drive: Behind the wheel of the BMW i3

BMW, Electric Cars, i3, News, Reviews and Comment

After a long incubation period, the first cars released under BMW’s sustainability-focused “i” sub-brand – the i3 city car and i8 sportscar – have been hitting roads around the globe throughout 2014. We climbed aboard the i3 to find out how it performs.

BMW i3: It zips off the mark, turns on a dime, provides good visibility and it's whisper quiet (Image: Gizmag)
BMW i3: It zips off the mark, turns on a dime, provides good visibility and it’s whisper quiet (Image: Gizmag)

We’ve previously looked at the make-up of the i3 in detail, but here’s a quick refresher. It’s a compact four seat, five door that’s a touch under 4 m (13 ft) long with short overhangs at both ends and an exceptionally tight turning circle of 9.8 m (32 ft – that’s 10 percent less than a Mini) and 2.5 turns lock to lock.

The BMW-developed electric motor is located at the back, providing 125 kW and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft ) of torque to the rear wheels through a single speed automatic transmission. In addition to the battery electric vehicle (BEV) model there’s a range extender version in which a 34-hp, 650 cc two-cylinder petrol engine from BMW Motorrad sits alongside the electric motor and acts as a generator (i.e. it charges the battery but, unlike hybrid cars, it doesn’t drive the wheels).

The modular 360 V, 21.8 kWh (18.8 kWh useable), 96 cell, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack is spread across the underbody and can be charged in 11 hours using a domestic wall plug or six hours using BMW’s i Wallbox. BMW says DC fast charging can deliver 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.

On a single charge the i3 has an “everyday range” of 160 km (100 mi). Using ECO mode can bump that closer to 200 km (124 mi), while the range extender version can travel around 300 km (186 mi). Acceleration is put at 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.2 seconds and importantly it still has plenty of zip for overtaking at higher speeds, with a 80-120 km/h (50-75 mph) time of 4.9 seconds, putting it on par with a BMW 435i. Top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h (93 mph).

The i-series cars are based on an architecture that’s been created “from the ground up” for electric vehicles. The passenger cell is the first mass-produced using carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and the chassis is made of aluminum and other lightweight materials. This adds up to a car that weighs just 1,195 kg (2,634 lb) – the range extender adds around 120 kg (265 lb) to that figure.

Read more: Giz Mag

Porsche Cayenne S e-Hybrid (Image: Autocar)

2014 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid first drive review

Cayenne S E-Hybrid, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Porsche

A Cayenne hybrid of heightened economy potential, and quite attractively priced given its complexity and capabilities

What is it?

Porsche is keen to sell us plug-in hybrids. It now makes three, although one is rather unaffordable, it being the £652,849 918 Spyder. The other two are the Panamera and the new Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, which replaces the plain hybrid version.

This upgraded petrol-electric Cayenne is part of the revised range presenting a freshened styling and new features that include the economy-promoting coasting mode provided by the previous hybrid alone, stop-start that kills the engine a few mph before halting and a launch-control system with the optional Sport Chrono pack.

It also has more precise suspension geometry and a greater dynamic range between the Comfort and Sport modes for both steel-sprung and air-suspended versions. Improved rear seat comfort and a heated screen option are among the detail improvements.

But the upgrades to the Cayenne hybrid are a lot more substantial. Aside from the facility to plug it into a cheaper mains energy supply, a lithium-ion battery pack of almost six times the kilowatt-hour capacity replaces the previous nickel-metal hydride pack.

That allows the electric motor’s output to jump from 46bhp to 94bhp, while the electric-only range lengthens from 1.6 miles to between 11 and 22 miles, although Porsche’s development engineers say they’ve gone further.

It now cruises at up to 78mph rather than 40mph on amperes alone, and its 410bhp system output allows it a 5.9sec sprint to 62mph rather than the 6.5sec of the previous 380bhp hybrid. Its CO2 emissions reduce spectacularly from 193g/km to 79g/km, although the EU’s methods for measuring plug-in hybrid economy and carbon emissions are seriously misleading.

That said, this hybrid Cayenne will be genuinely cheaper to run than the last, tax-wise and when maximising travel on electricity alone. Of which there’s a good chance.

What is it like?

The Cayenne plug-in’s powerpack is near-identical to the plug-in Panamera’s (a more energy-dense battery pack and all-wheel drive are the main differences) the pair proving surprisingly reluctant to engage their petrol engines to achieve decent progress.

In the E-Power mode the Cayenne will keep up with most traffic; press the accelerator more firmly and the supercharged V6 leaps into life, its torque faultlessly synchronising with the electric motor’s.

At which point you can access truly substantial acceleration, the V6’s revs rising with a slightly industrial and not unappealing rortiness.

Despite its substantial weight, the Cayenne handles with some panache. It rolls a bit, even in the firmest of its air springs’ settings, but that doesn’t prevent it from tracing curves with pleasingly assured confidence, your enjoyment heightened by the steering’s precision.

With both motors working hard, a decently sporting pace is easily achieved. There’s further entertainment to be had from trying to maximise your electric range through brake recuperation.

Should I buy one?

It all makes this Cayenne a particularly interesting example of the breed, and if you successfully harness its powers, a pretty economical one too.

The price of this revised hybrid is exactly the same as the V8 diesel’s despite the fact that this is a vastly more complex machine, and though the hybrid is slower, that makes this plug-in impressive value among full-size, premium SUVs.

Source: Autocar